Boeing has created a laser cannon for the United States military that will be able to take down drones and rockets. They recently tested the laser to verify that it works as well out at sea as it does on land, even in heavy fog, wind and rainy conditions.

Boeing is creating a laser cannon for the United States military that will be able to take down drones and rockets no matter where it is installed.

They recently tested the laser at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida under heavy fog, wind and rainy conditions to verify that it would work as well out at sea as it does on land.

The High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator is powered by lithium ion batteries charged by a diesel generator, so as long as fuel is available it will continue to fire indefinitely.

It is controlled using only a laptop and an Xbox video game controller.

A telescope and infrared wide field-of-view camera are used to locate targets that are then blasted by the high intensity light, which heats up until it destroys the target.

Boeing and the US military have been working on this project for several years with a weapons contract for 36 million dollars.

They are continuing to develop the technology to give the laser an even higher intensity so it will be able to effectively destroy rockets, mortar strikes, and drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles.

The laser cannon isn’t expected to be ready for operation in the field until after several more years of development.